Isn’t the word brainstorm an interesting one? You get the visual impression of ideas whirling about in your head and blasting out of it, yes?

Our last newsletter was about research. But now I want to go back one step in the process – how to generate ideas.

People often ask me how to start writing their books. Obviously the place to start is in your brain – even if your inspiration comes from without.

An advertising executive Alex F. Osborn developed the idea of brainstorming back in 1939. He was frustrated when his ad-writing employees could not stoke up their imaginations to write effective ad campaigns.

Essentially brainstorming is this: take the time to think and propose multiple solutions without criticism. Best if you do it with other people who are equally committed to coming up with ideas without judgment. Judgment inhibits your creativity – not to mention your self-esteem.

And when I say a lot of ideas – I mean the most ridiculous, unfeasible and ineffective ones as well. Let your imagination go. Who knows? There may be elements of those that you can use.

Here is another tip: record your idea-generating conversations. Listening back to the tape or MP3 file may generate more ideas or give you new perspective. It’s not a waste of time! You have to generate ideas before you can focus on your vision. Expand first, narrow down later.

Get a pen and pencil and doodle. So what if you can’t draw a crooked line? Doodle about the book project or something completely different. Doodling may get your critical mind off the task enough for you to loosen up and deliver some pearls.

Far and away I always recommend mind mapping. More on that next time.

Wordfully yours, Francine

Francine Brevetti is an author, ghostwriter and book coach. She offers a complimentary consultation to anyone who is considering embarking on a book.

OAKLEY — A neglected marina that once hosted pro bass fishing tournaments and formerly served as a busy hive of entertainment and sport is waiting for a second wind under new owners.

San Rafael-based Sequoia Mortgage Co. assumed ownership of the Big Break Marina in February after its previous owner, David Biron, filed for bankruptcy two years ago and then lost the property in foreclosure.

The 32-acre facility adjacent to the Big Break Regional Shoreline is undergoing a complete face-lift under the mortgage company, which hopes to revive it to its previous glory, Sequoia CEO Jason Freskos said.

A newly rebuilt boating dock at the Big Break Marina in Oakley is seen to the left as a fisherman fishes in Oakley, Calif., on Wednesday, June 4, 2015. The marina was foreclosed in February and there is a new group of investors doing new improvements. (Dan Rosenstrauch/Bay Area News Group) ( DAN ROSENSTRAUCH )

The marina is one of far East County’s few public gateways to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and is home port to pleasure craft, restaurants, bait shops and residences. It once even served as a backdrop in an episode of the “Mythbusters” television show.

Freskos is optimistic about bringing new business and revitalizing what was once considered Oakley’s “gem.” He looks forward to the return of bass fishing derbies and other activities that were common before the marina’s decline.

“We want to rent to tenants who will bring in viable businesses. The most happening bar and restaurant in Oakley used to be at this marina. It’s not there anymore. Neither is a clubhouse that once was here,” he said.

Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery is enthusiastic about the new plans for Big Break Marina. He said the facility under the previous ownership had fewer connections to the river whereas the new owners plan to provide more access to the shoreline.

This facility “used to be such a gem,” Montgomery said. “But it was not as much of an amenity as we wish it had been for the last 10 years.” He said he looks forward to greater opportunities for boat owners to launch from the marina.

Under state law, the city is prohibited from funding private businesses. But Montgomery endorsed the new project and said that from time to time should the marina sponsor public events, “we would be supportive.”

Freskos was not ready to speculate on when new construction would begin or what a new facility might look like. He is also leaving the door open for new opportunities for ownership or redevelopment, including a possible new subdivision.

Over the past decade, the marina has fallen into disrepair. Today, visitors will see derelict buildings, rotting docks and dilapidated residences awaiting salvage and renovation. A Dumpster is currently on the site removing tons of garbage, according to the marina’s new general manager, Sean Ferguson.

Freskos describes the facility as being “in an incredible state of disrepair. We took over the property on Feb. 23 and on May 1 we got a citation from the city that one of the buildings was a public nuisance.” Freskos says the facility’s problems are almost overwhelming, but the new management is attending to them.

“We are currently plugging up holes in a sinking ship. Once we do that, there will be more method to our reconstruction,” he said.

Both Freskos and Ferguson bemoaned the state of docks that are falling down and dangerous.

“Some launches are sinking,” Freskos said. “One of the major covered sheds for boats is under such bad repair that some of the boats have broken loose and are floating away. We’re going to dismantle it.”

Even the residential buildings are falling apart. Freskos said tenants have had to plug up their broken windows with duct tape and say they received no response from their previous landlord to their appeals for any other repairs.

When Sequoia Mortgage took over the property this winter, they retained Biron as its interim manager for the three weeks it took to find a replacement. Freskos says Biron continued to bill tenants under his previous management through the last week of May.

Calls to Biron for comment were not returned.

Freskos acknowledged that some of the marina’s tenants had complained about past issues, and that his company is trying to make it up to them by offering reduced rent for several months.

In the meantime, Sequoia Mortgage created a new corporate name, Big Break Marina LLC, to manage the operation and to distinguish it from its former owner.

They intend to haul away derelict vessels and buildings. Freskos reported that 15 trailer loads of yard waste have been taken away so far. Several commercial buildings need to be renovated and one of them has been red-tagged for removal.

But firm plans to sell are on hold until the cost of revitalizing the property and the prospects for selling it become clear.

“We are trying to determine the highest and best use for this property,” Freskos said. “Our immediate goal is to stabilize the income while exploring the feasibility and cost of creating a large-scale subdivision. Firm plans to sell are temporarily on hold while we make these determinations.”

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Cat Naps and Doggie Snorts

We know you like to feel all snuggly and warm with other mammals, especially those with fur. All right, some of you even sleep with critters who wear scales or feathers. We bet you would like to know more about other people who do the same.

Cat Naps and Doggie Snorts is a compilation of 75 stories from real people about their real pets in bed with them at night.